Term 4 Week 5 - Thursday 9th November 2023
Notes from the Principal
In my introduction to the Weekly Review I often tell you about the great things students are doing at school. Today, though, I would like to hone in on an approach we are taking to prepare for the new curriculum being developed by NESA.
This week the Leaders of Learning Curriculum explored the importance of writing in the school curriculum and in real life. With reference to a paper on teaching writing from NESA, we discussed the critical fact that contemporary careers rely on the written word, even if the end result is a visual product, such as a poster or a film, because the final product is drafted using sophisticated language and ideas that are reflected through writing.
New curriculum documents which have been or will be published in the most recent NESA curriculum roll out include writing outcomes across every key learning area, thus emphasising even further the importance of this skill. Strong reading skills promote strong writing skills, and vice versa. When these skills work together, we become very good communicators and our critical literacy increases, making us better skilled at producing written and visual materials, and at reading them: skills we need to navigate the real world.
Reading and writing have been specific focus areas for teacher professional learning at Catherine McAuley this year. With this in mind, I encourage all students to read regularly in a range of formats to constantly challenge and develop their writing and their critical thinking skills.
On another note, tomorrow we welcome next year’s students coming to Year 7 for their Orientation Day. We look forward to the joy they will bring to the school as they get to know their peers, teachers and school environment.
Best wishes for an enjoyable week.
Mary Refalo
Principal
News from the School Captains
Hey McAuley!
In Week 2 of this term we shared some very exciting news at our assembly: our school theme for 2023 - 2024, ‘Embrace, Excel, Empower’. Our leadership team worked very hard to create this theme, which encapsulates what we believe to be the body of our school, each word representing a fundamental aspect of the life of our community.
The first word of our theme, ‘embrace’ acknowledges the strong communal bonds within our school, also known as our ‘sisterhood’. Our school community is made up of a diverse range of students, and we each offer a unique set of perspectives, experiences and skills. It is essential that we embrace one another and our differences, rather than allowing our differences to restrict the oneness of our community. Embracing one another means to wholeheartedly support and encourage each other in what we do, while embodying the spirit of mercy in the way that we treat each other. Embracing one another fosters an environment where we can learn from each other, and exist as a united front of women who can grow together.
The second word of our theme, ‘excel’, recognises our aim as a school community to achieve personal and collective success. While excelling as a student means to strive for academic achievement, excellence also extends far beyond the classroom. Whether in sports, leadership or volunteering, it is about striving for greatness in all of our endeavours. Excellence is about continuous improvement; we don’t stop at achieving one milestone, instead we constantly seek ways to enhance our skill set, knowledge and character. By excelling in all that we do, we are committing ourselves to lifelong learning and personal growth, always aiming to do “ordinary things extraordinarily well” in the words of Catherine McAuley.
The third word of our theme is where embrace and excel come together to cultivate empowerment, elevating both individuals and communities. Empowerment means gaining purpose, making a difference and becoming capable of achieving more. It is not just about personal gain, it is also about making a positive impact on the world. Through embracing each other, we employ a collective strength that empowers us to overcome challenges, and to address the needs of others empowering us to make a difference. By excelling in all aspects of life, one is empowered to achieve greatness, giving them the ability to inspire others which creates a culture of high achievement in our school.
The logo that will represent our theme is an infinity symbol, which has embedded in it the words ‘Embrace, Excel, Empower’. This logo illustrates that by living out the focus of both embrace and excel, we become empowered, and how each of these three aspects are interconnected. Our new symbol is also a subtle reference to the circle of mercy and that idea of a continuity that flows throughout our school, because like the infinity symbol, the circle of mercy is timeless…
We hope you all love our new theme just as much as we do!
That’s all from us for now, don’t forget to Embrace, Excel, Empower!
Alyssa A. and Lea Z.
School Captains
Pray With Us
The 11th November is the anniversary of Venerable Catherine McAuley's death, she died in 1841 aged 63.
Need To Know
Upcoming Fortnight
Term 4 Week 6
- Year 7 Reflection Day
Term 4 Week 7
- 2023 Arts Factor Dance Festival
- CAPTIVATE: Arts Factor: Battle of the Bands
- Performing Arts Showcase 2023
- School Morning Tour
- Year 12 Earth and Environmental Studies Excursion
- Year 8 Geography Excursion
- Year 8 History In-School Activity
News Articles
This Week on Social Media
Follow Catherine McAuley Westmead on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for regular updates. One of the posts from this week is shown below:
Year 11 Legal Studies student Sara E. was selected to be a participant in the 2023 NSW Constitutional Convention which was held at NSW Parliament House last Friday. Sara was selected after submitting a written one page statement in her own words on constitutional change.
Mrs Relan, Social Science and VET Teacher accompanied Sara. The keynote speaker was Professor Emerita Twomey who spoke on the Australian constitution and system of government. Students from around the State were given the opportunity to learn key facts and ask questions. Attendees engaged in small group discussions and at the conclusion of the day the delegate peers selected 30 students to attend the National Student Constitutional Convention to be held in Canberra in March 2024. Congratulations Sara who was successful in securing a position to attend in Canberra as well.